India and Croatia have a growing bilateral relationship, made it more strong with recent visit by Sri Narendra Modi in Crotia ..
Their Relation built on diplomatic ties established in 1992 following Croatia’s independence . This relationship encompasses diplomatic, economic, and cultural exchanges, with both countries seeking to deepen their cooperation in various sectors.
Diplomatic Relations and High-Level Engagements
Croatia maintains an embassy in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai and Kolkata, while India has an embassy in Zagreb . High-level visits have been instrumental in strengthening the relationship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Croatia in June 2025 marked the first time an Indian Prime Minister visited the country, signifying a major milestone in bilateral ties . During this visit, PM Modi held discussions with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, reviewing the full spectrum of their bilateral relations .
In April 2024, India and Croatia held their 11th Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi, where they discussed strengthening cooperation in trade, economy, defense, maritime affairs, science and technology, innovation, research and development, tourism, culture, and people-to-people ties . Earlier, in September 2021, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, made the first official visit by an Indian EAM to Croatia, meeting with Prime Minister Plenković to discuss expanding cooperation in areas such as pharmaceuticals, digital technology, and infrastructure .
Economic and Trade Relations
Economic cooperation is a vital aspect of the India-Croatia relationship. Both countries have signed several agreements to facilitate trade and investments, including a Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (1994), a Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (2001), and an Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation (2014) .
While India’s exports to Croatia have historically dominated bilateral trade, reaching €137.35 million in 2018 with nearly 90% being Indian exports, there’s a growing trend in both directions . Between March 2024 and March 2025, India’s exports to Croatia increased by 52.1% to $39.8 million, while imports from Croatia also rose by 23.8% to $4.8 million . Croatian goods such as engineering products and high-value items are gaining traction in India, indicating a diversifying economic partnership . Indian companies have invested in various Croatian sectors, including pharmaceuticals, IT, and hospitality .
Cultural and People-to-People Ties
Both nations emphasize the importance of strengthening cultural and people-to-people exchanges . Agreements such as the Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Culture, Science and Technology, Education and Sports (1999) and various MoUs on cultural and educational exchange programs underscore this commitment . The number of Indian residents in Croatia has seen a significant increase, jumping from approximately 7,500 in December 2023 to 17,000 in December 2024, reflecting growing interactions between the two countries .
Overall, the relationship between India and Croatia is characterized by deepening diplomatic engagements, expanding economic ties, and increasing cultural exchanges, all contributing to a stronger bilateral partnership. for world news click www.eminentnews.com
